Rolling out the crystal ball on playoff matchups

Apopka vs. Dr. Phillips in football semifinal is possible, but a long shot

November 6, 2013|Buddy Collings, INSIDE HIGH SCHOOLS

Close your eyes, coaches. Here comes the part where I look ahead to potential playoff blockbusters and call out contenders to get to December's state football finals at the Citrus Bowl.

The million-dollar Metro Conference question is whether we'll see reigning state champion Apopka (9-1) at Dr. Phillips (9-0) in a Class 8A semifinal showdown on Dec. 6. Odds are against DP in Region 2.

The Panthers are looking at road trips to Tampa Plant (8-1-1) in round two and then to top-ranked Bradenton Manatee (10-0).

Apopka will be favored in any Region 1 matchup, which should include West Orange (8-1) or Winter Park (8-1) at home in round two and could include Lake Mary (9-0) at home in a region final. The Blue Darters would travel for final-four time.

Kissimmee Osceola (8-2) has lost only to unbeatens Lake Mary and Fort Pierce Central and has a puncher's chance to go all the way in wide-open 7A. The Kowboys' semifinal would be a road trip, potentially to the Panhandle.

Defense makes Daytona Beach Mainland (8-1) my pick to reach a 6A semifinal trip to top-ranked Miami Central (7-1), which has won two titles in the psat three seasons.

I also see South Sumter (10-0) making the 5A semis and a chilly Nov. 29 trek to top-ranked Pensacola Catholic (10-0) or reigning state champ Tallahassee Godby (8-1).

South Daytona Warner Christian (7-1) will take another shot at the 2A title after three runner-up finishes and two semifinal losses to state champs over the past five seasons. The Eagles will have to win at either reigning state champ Jacksonville University Christian (7-2) or Tallahassee North Florida Christian (7-2) in a semi to get to Orlando, where top-ranked Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (9-0) could be waiting.

Record rundown

Lake Nona QB Tucker Israel is one touchdown pass from breaking the area career record of 98 as a junior, and his top target, senior Ryan Sousa, needs one TD catch to push his area-record total to 50 over three season. The Lions (7-2) will host East River (1-8) on Friday night, then have a 5A playoff date at Lakeland Kathleen (8-1).

The state record for TD receptions is 57, set by Jamal Reid of Mayo Lafayette over four seasons (2006-09).

Israel will likely chase the TD passing record as a senior in 2014. The record-holder is current Jacksonville Bishop Kenny senior John Wolford, who has thrown for 113 scores for a team that is 8-0 going into a regular season finale on Friday. The Crusaders could go at least two or three games into the Class 5A playoffs.

"This offense is built to put up numbers, but the playofffs are more important than records at this point," Lions coach Anthony Paradiso said. "We're hoping we can play as hard as we can for three quarters [Friday] and then get some starters out of there."

Port Orange Spruce Creek senior Jagger Lieb hit his 12th field goal of the season to tie an area record set in 1982 by Winter Park's Mike Lively and equaled in 1993 by Seminole's Jason Walraven. Spruce Creek (5-4) will close its season at Flagler Palm Coast (4-4) on Friday and might add a postseason bowl game.

Timber Creek's Jacques Patrick gave us another lasting memory on the 31-yard run vs. Oviedo that made him the 12th in area history to surpass 5,000 career rushing yards. The junior had the presence of mind (and selflessness) to fall to a knee at the 1 to keep the clock moving rather than score. The Wolves (5-4) ran the time out and won 22-21.

No charge to coach?

John Zeoli is in his 36th and final year of teaching, but maybe not his final season of coaching boys basketball at DeLand.

"I'm hoping they let me come back next year to coach," Zeoli said. "I've let the county [Volusia] know I'll do it without pay. I really mean that. I would love to finish out with this group of juniors."

Zeoli is 564-320 in 32 seasons with the Bulldogs and is seven wins from becoming the second winningest coach in area history behind Oviedo's Ed Kershner (809-354).

Kershner retired as a teacher last year but continues to coach and should have one of the area's top squads in his 41st season as a high-school head coach.